The Memory of Forever

by Jessica Grayson

The day I died was the day I woke up in my true form. The Healers tell me it’s normal to miss the life that was a lie. They assure me that with enough time, I’ll forget about the family of my human body. But every time I close my eyes, I still see them.

With the information my people have gathered from the memories of my life on Earth, my species can now move forward with the conquest of their planet.

But the attachment I carry for my human family and friends has not faded, and I cannot stand by as my race invades their world with the singular goal of conquest. I’ve made several appeals to the highest reaches of my government and they have fallen upon deaf ears.

I am Commander Varen of the Draken Republic, and I now have no choice but to lead the rebellion to save Earth.

Genres: Aliens, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Grayson writes scifi and fantasy romance with strong heroines and the otherworldly heroes that cannot help but fall in love with them.

She lives with her husband, cat and dog in the San Antonio, TX area. In addition to reading and writing scifi romance, she loves swimming, chai and dark chocolate.

For more information, follow her on www.jessicagraysonauthor.com

Reviews

[Viv “BookVixen” Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible storytelling❤️❤️❤️

WOWWWWZZAAAA!!! What an epic love story and an incredible plot! A love that crosses species, that neither an empires ambitions of conquest nor death can stop.

I fell in love with the hero, his strength and his undying devotion to his human mate and child. He refused to let them go.

This story is double virgins, faithful during separation. No abuse or cheating or others. HEA with epilogue.

[Shenzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf @54%

An excellent premise that was marred by overambitious world building and forgettable characters.

The FMC Ari is supposed to be a brilliant engineer but there was no evidence of this. There are throwaway scenes shoehorned in where she's supposed to demonstrate her competence to her alien counterparts, but they're all "tell" and not "show".

Her observations about aliens are all standard issue - look at this cool fruit they eat! And these cool devices they use! and their scaley hands! Absolutely nothing to set her apart from any other generic sci-fi romance FMC.

All her interactions with the MMC Varen lead to her reminiscing about her dead husband Aaron (who, unbeknowst to her, was the MMC's human avatar). So when they get together at some point it's like... why? What did she see in him when she's spent most of the time talking about Aaron?

As for the world-building... I'm sorry but the author bit off more than she could chew. The book flits from one alien thing to another without lingering for too long on anything. As a book narrated in dual POV, we never feel like we're seeing something through the eyes of an engineer (or someone with a STEM degree). "Here's a shiney orb thingee that captures data in a flash! Here's a fancy space ship! Here is a glimpse of just one of hundreds of planets the aliens have said to have conquered in their Empire! This technologically advanced species hasn't figured out how to make long distance phone calls yet, but the FMC will science her way towards a solution for them!"

If the book was set at a time when spacefaring was the norm, I would have overlooked all of this. However, by centering the plot around First Contact, more effort should have been put into making the world building believable. Even as a casual reader, I had so many questions: how are the space ships powered? How are the aliens able to adapt to Earth's gravity and air so easily? All the officials on Earth just said "ok, let's allow this random engineer with no training and not even a basic intelligence briefing be our only conduit with the aliens"? We are given no visibility into what humans are up to - is Ari relaying what she sees and hears back to the government? Are they making preparations just in case the aliens turn hostile?

Frustrated with how this book turned out, I was really invested in the premise.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 Stars

“You were part of a mission. Your mind was downloaded into an alien form—a human man on the planet Earth. You and your team have been living among the humans for the past several cycles, but only three days have passed on the ship.”

Not only did Jessica Grayson manage to create an engaging and fresh story, but she managed to fit it within a single novel.

There was a noticeable amount of editing errors—the dog’s name was Max, but was referred to as Jax on three separate occasions; lines from the MMC’s pov would slip into chapters from the FMC’s pov (and vice versa); sentence repetition—which I was able to largely overlook, since I found the story intriguing.

“I’ll find a way back to you, Ari.” I reach up and place my open palm to the glass. “I promise.”

Title: The Memory of Forever
by Jessica Grayson
POV(s): Dual—First Person
Interconnected Series: No
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Sci-Fi Romance
Triggers: N/A
Tags/Tropes:
❖ Double-Life
❖ Dragon-Alien-Species
❖ First-Contact
❖ Genius-Heroine
❖ Hero-Devoted-to-Heroine
❖ Hero-Keeps-Identity-a-Secret
❖ Human-Heroine-Alien-Hero
❖ Married-Couple-with-Child
❖ Presumed-Dead

[Fay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry, not once but numerous times. There is such a depth of emotion in it and understanding of grief. Please do not for one minute think that this is an unhappy book, it's not but it really got to me. I enjoyed but definitely with a tissue.
Varen wakes to find that he is not who he thought he was and the life that he lived as a human, while it was him it also was not. A rather tumultuous resurrection but one where he cannot let go of what was. He clings to it as if it is the only thing that matters to him. Now he is back amongst his people he is tasked with finding a polite way to tell Earth that they are to be assimilated into the Empire willingly or not. At least is willing they have a better chance of some niceties. Ari is the lead engineer and scientist for machine that sent a message into space for her husband who was recently killed on a mission to Mars. This message is the perfect in for the Draken. Ari is asked, read told by the Government, to work with them in a kind of exchange program. Our tech for theirs but when she meets Varen there is something about him that she cannot place. They grow close as they work together. Can they ever be more than that though?

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Another excellent story by Jessica Grayson! This author and a story about an alien dragon shifter was an immediate must read for me regardless of what it's about. ;) But this is such a unique story of an alien species wanting to invade and conqueror Earth, but instead of outright attacking, they prepare by doing reconnaissance. Soldiers are "sent" to Earth by having their minds downloaded into human bodies to live human lives temporarily. When they return to their own bodies, that information would be used. Varen, however, when he returns to his own body, still longs for his human wife and daughter, and those feelings won't fade. He's determined to save them and Earth from the attack. Excellent story. Great world building. Loved the characters. I recommend this book. 5 stars.

[Cassandra Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic Scifi Romance with masterful storytelling and incredible world building. The characters are richly developed, the challenges they face are compelling, and the prose kept me up late the day I found it and had my up early to read it the next day. I would call it a near-future AU Earth, and I love what Ms. Grayson did with societal developments. It's one of the few optimistic outlooks for our world, and I love finding that. She paints a believable picture, too. The aliens are fascinating and I love how their interactions with Earthlings affected them. This is one of my new favorite Scifi Romances.

[heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

check out my tags/shelves for more info

this was really nice, it made me tear up just a little. I do wish we had gotten to see there life more after they got together permanently. Also more drama then romance, and only 1 sex scene…

dual virgins
slow insta
cross species (alien, Dragon)
misunderstanding
loyal separation
drama
action
slight angst
no ow/om drama
no protection
push/pull from both mostly h
was a little disappointed is seeing how fast the h moves on(even tho he is the same person she just didn’t know) slightly disappointed
time skip 2 months and 8 months
safe ish
abrupt ending
hea
epilogue w/kid
spicy lvl 2.5/5
wish was longer

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving Memories . . .

Based on information the dragon aliens have gathered from the memories of Commander Varen of the Draken Empire about his life on Earth, the aliens feel they are ready to move forward with the conquest of Earth. But Varen, when he returns to his own body, remembers his human wife and daughter, and he can’t forget. He tries to ask his people not to invade, but no one will listen. That means it is up to him to save Earth from the attack that is being planned. Can he gather enough rebels to fight with him? Can he save Earth?

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The only way to know someone is to travel their path as if it were your own.”

Varen is an Alien Commander who leads from the front, even when the mission is particularly dangerous, and this latest mission has changed him in ways no one thought possible.

Ari is fascinated by long range signals is space... they can't just be natural occurrences, right? Just one of them, eventually, must indicate intelligent life, right?

This done in one Kindle Unlimited quick read creates an interesting Universe, with some unexpected technology.

[Brenda Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

a human and a Draken

It all starts with love and ends with love. When Varen awakens in his true form he is plagued with memories of his human life, of Ari and Emma. His kind wants to enslave Earth but not Varen. He knows that he has to do all he can to protect his mate and daughter so he starts making plans. He loves them and wants them with him. You need to read to find out what happens.

[J.E. Feldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent quick read. It's actually a really nice change to see the MC have a family already established as chaos ensues. With only one day to return home from a space station, Aaron finds himself in an accident and transformed into an alien/dragon (that he apparently always was and his human form was just a flesh prison for his consciousness). It does need some better clarification from the author.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so much more than a regular sci-fi romance.. It is a beautiful love story, producing a myriad of emotions.. that will cause the reader to feel like part of the story. Varen, Ari and their loved ones have just stolen my heart..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Dragon Shifter Romance Love story for Varen and Ari. That is one way to tell your wife Surprise I was an alien but now we can be true mates. I can not wait to see what the next book holds and all the surprise couples that fallow this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Memory Of Forever: Dragon Shifter Romance By: Jessica Grayson. This book is my first time reading but this author and I can tell ypi enough that I really enjoy. I enjoy the characters of Varen and Ari. Love how everything come out and I can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written story filled with endearing characters and an engaging story line that kept me entertained from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Zooleyus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I could not put the book down. Would recommend this book. Well written and characters were relatable

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dayzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Memories are forever ✨

All the feels! I loved it! This was a heartfelt romance!! Present: An alien in space reminiscing human memories while he was on earth pretending to be human who fell in love , now wakes up and relives it everyday miles and miles away!! It changes everything and now must decide what to do!

I love the struggle and the challenge he faces and what he wants to do. Awesome story!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written emotional story with a very good storyline that held my interest until the end. Varen and Ari's story was well worth reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anuschka-Marie' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my attention from the beginning. I felt so sorry for the hero, so close and yet so far. This book was well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

This book is so full of action. I couldn’t but it down. I love, love how Jessica Grayson writes all her books. The stories are just so intriguing. I can never put her books down. She is such a good writer. I highly recommend reading all of her books.

[Vanessa Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was just a beautiful love story that had me cheering them on the whole time. There was so much chemistry and just true love I couldn’t help it. Will certainly be reading more by Jessica

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story with relatable characters, plenty of plot and more. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. It was so well-written that it captured my mind, and I was dragged along for the ride. Once I started reading, I could not put it down until I read the last page.

[Phillis A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely Story!

Though it’s a combo retelling of several of Jessica’s best stories it was a very fresh retelling. A very sweet story with strong characters.